Review: That $69 "Senior" Tablet Is Just E-Waste With a Big Font

You’ve seen the ads on Facebook. Maybe even in the back of a magazine if you still read those. A tablet designed "specifically for seniors." Big buttons! Simplified menu! No confusing apps! And the price? Only $69.99.

I ordered one. I wish I hadn't.

Let me save you the seventy bucks and the three hours of blood pressure medication you'll need after trying to set it up. These things aren't tools; they are frustration masquerading as help.

The "Chan Tests"

1. The Unbox Test: Failed Immediately

It came in a plain white box. The manual was a single sheet of paper with text smaller than the ingredients on a soup can. I had to get my magnifying glass just to find out how to turn it on.

The charger? Micro-USB. In 2026! That’s the trapezoid-shaped one you have to plug in exactly the right way up. If you have arthritis or shaky hands, good luck. You have a 50/50 chance of breaking the port every time you charge it. USB-C has been standard for years. This is just lazy.

2. The Arthritis Check: The Screen from Hell

The screen isn't glass; it feels like plastic. And it's "resistive," or maybe just terrible capacitive. You don't tap it; you have to stab it.

I tried to type an email. I typed "Hello." The tablet wrote "Hhelllo." The touch rejection is non-existent. If your palm slightly grazes the corner, the whole thing freezes.

Visibility: I took it to my porch. I couldn't see a thing. The maximum brightness is about as bright as a glowworm in a jar. If you plan to use this anywhere but a dark closet, forget it.

3. The Bill Audit: The Hidden Trap

Here is the scam. The tablet is cheap because they want you to subscribe to their "Senior Support" service.

When you turn it on, a big button says "HELP." If you press it, you get connected to a call center that tries to upsell you medical alert services or tech support plans for $20 a month. You can't remove the button. It's right there on the home screen, waiting for you to accidentally press it.

What You Should Buy Instead

Chan’s Advice: Don't fall for the "Senior Friendly" label. It's marketing speak for "obsolete technology we couldn't sell to anyone else." Buy a refurbished iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tab A9. Turn on "Easy Mode" or "Assistive Access" in the settings. You'll save money and keep your dignity.